DAGA Download – July 3
July 3, 2020
ON THE TRAIL
Health care is a top issue for voters across the country as we confront the COVID-19 crisis. All four Republican AGs seeking re-election this year are also leading the effort at the U.S. Supreme Court to end health care and eliminate protections for millions with pre-existing conditions. Republican AG candidates in key states like Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania also appear to support this health care sabotage. Here’s a look at coverage from across the country in 2020 states:
- INDIANA: Democratic AG nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel called out Republican AG Curtis Hill’s ACA repeal effort, “I can’t even believe they are considering doing this especially in the middle of a global pandemic when healthcare is essential.”
- MAINE: Maine AG Frey told state legislators, “so as long as I have the privilege of serving as Maine’s attorney general, I’m going to support the Affordable Care Act through litigation.”
- MISSOURI: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Board slammed incumbent Republican AG Eric Schmitt for his involvement in the ACA repeal case saying, “Every Republican candidate on the ballot this November who supports this twisted attack on American health care — which is virtually the whole party — should pay at the polling places.”
- MONTANA: Democratic AG nominee Raph Graybill addressed the cost of prescription drugs & vaccines saying, “Big Pharma shouldn’t profit off COVID-19. And if the ACA is repealed by GOP AGs, insurance corporations can make COVID-19 a pre-existing condition, making you pay more. We need an AG who stands up for us and fights for our healthcare.” Republican AG nominee Austin Knudsen has been vocally opposed to expanding the ACA and Medicaid in the state.
- NORTH CAROLINA: Despite health care being a top concern for voters and COVID-19 cases on the rise in North Carolina, Republican AG nominee Jim O’Neil continues to remain silent on this crucial issue.
- UTAH: Democratic AG nominee Greg Skordas called out incumbent Republican AG Sean Reyes for his involvement in the Republican AG-led attack on health care saying, it was a “terrible decision before the pandemic. And now it’s almost inexcusable.”
- WEST VIRGINIA: Democratic AG nominee Sam Petsonk addressed incumbent Republican AG Patrick Morrisey’s involvement in seeking to end health care in a local TV interview here.
ENDORSEMENT CORNER
Here are the key endorsements this week:
- INDIANA: Democratic AG nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel was endorsed by AFSCME local 962 & the Indiana AFL-CIO.
- MONTANA: Democratic AG nominee Raph Graybill was endorsed by the Montana AFL-CIO.
- NORTH CAROLINA: Democratic AG Josh Stein was endorsed by the National Organization for Women PAC.
- PENNSYLVANIA: Democratic AG Josh Shapiro was endorsed by Brady PAC.
MAYOR PETE GOES TO PA
On July 6th, former 2020 Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro will host a grassroots event as part of Buttigieg’s endorsement of AG Shapiro earlier this year. “A reform-oriented Attorney General, he has brought needed integrity and leadership to the office at a time when we are seeing in new and urgent ways just how much state attorneys general matter,” said Pete Buttigieg. For more about the event, click here.
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
ROE V. WADE TO STAY
This week included a victory for abortion access. The U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in June Medical Services v. Gee, in which a medical provider sought to overturn a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to maintain admitting privileges at local hospitals. New York AG Tish James led a coalition of 23 Democratic AGs in an amicus brief opposing the unconstitutional law and urging the Supreme Court to strike down the law. AG James tweeted after the positive decision, “I took action in this case because in this nation women have a constitutional right to an abortion.” DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum released a statement saying the decision “is a victory for the rule of law.” Read the full statement here.
THE FIGHT FOR THE ERA
As the Trump administration continues to block efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and make it the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Illinois AG Kwame Raoul, Nevada AG Aaron Ford and Virginia AG Mark Herring announced their latest action to ensure ratification and adoption of the ERA. These three Democratic AGs represent the three most recent states to pass the ERA through their state legislatures.
BONUS: A coalition of 19 Democratic AGs led by New York AG Tish James filed a brief in support of their colleagues from Illinois, Nevada and Virginia. AG James tweeted, “The Equal Rights Amendment will finally give women equal treatment under the law, yet the president is trying to block it from being ratified and prevent women from getting the rights we deserve.”
AG SPOTLIGHT
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sat down for an in-depth conversation with Hasan Minhaj for a digital special of Patriot Act. Watch the full conversation here!
BONUS: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison spoke to The Daily Beast’s Molly Jong-Fast for their podcast The New Abnormal. They talked about transforming policing in America and he shared his views on the Breonna Taylor case in Kentucky. Listen to the conversation here!
COMMUNITY CONVOS
DAGA Co-Chair Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum announced she will be holding “Community Conversations” throughout the month of July to hear from marginalized communities on their experiences with institutionalized racism and implicit biases. AG Rosenblum said, “We want to create a safe place for people to discuss these issues, and we want to learn how we can improve access and decrease barriers for Oregonians to receive support within our DOJ-funded programs.” Stay tuned throughout this month for updates!
TWEET OF THE WEEK
The HULK, aka Mark Ruffalo, tweeted support for Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro’s most recent announcement regarding a Grand Jury report on fracking in the Commonwealth.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
